SAIS & Mountain Equipment sign new 3 Year Deal

Mountain Equipment and the Sport Scotland Avalanche Information Service
(SAIS) have agreed to a new sponsorship deal that will see their association
continue for at least another 3 years.

The Sport Scotland Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) has chosen to continue its
association with Mountain Equipment, the Manchester based manufacturer of technical
apparel and equipment for at least another 3 years.

The new deal will see Mountain Equipment continue in its role as the exclusive clothing
sponsor of the service

Over the course of the next 3 years Mountain Equipment will increase its financial
commitment to the service. The continued support will ensure that its team of 12 observers
continue to have access to some of the best mountaineering clothing available.

From mid-December until early April, Avalanche observers are out every single day, in all
weathers to observe and record snow and avalanche conditions in 5 of Scotland's most
popular mountain areas.

Richard Talbot, ME's Product Manager said

“The avalanche information service is unique in the role it fulfils. Its forecasts are used by
recreational hill-walkers and climbers every day throughout the winter and without doubt
helps to save lives. At the same time, the Scottish Winter mountain scene remains close to
the heart of Mountain Equipment's whole ethos and we will continue to get invaluable
feedback by having our products used in some of the most demanding conditions to be found
anywhere.”

Mark Diggins, SAIS Co-Ordinator commented:

“The Sportscotland Avalanche Information Service have selected Mountain Equipment
clothing for a number of reasons, firstly, the design of the products allow us to get on with
our daily work in some of the most hostile winter conditions in the UK. Secondly, a product
that protects us from the wind, the extremes of winter, from pouring rain to blizzards and
icing, is testament to the design, development and understanding that Mountain Equipment
have developed over a great many years in defining what is needed to cope and operate in
the worst of British weather. We are delighted to be supported by Mountain Equipment.”

Avalanche Safety is a key theme of Product &
Mountain Skills Seminar

The tragic events of last week's avalanche in Glencoe, which claimed the lives of 3
experienced mountaineers was an unfortunate reminder of the potential dangers
faced in winter mountaineering. It put into stark perspective the training and
experiences of 12 retail staff that had attended Mountain Equipment's 2009
Winter Skills & Product seminar earlier that week.

The 3-day course, held at Plas Y Brenin's winter base of Alltshellach near Glencoe is now in
its 3rd year and focuses on giving retail staff an understanding of the core skills needed to
venture safely into the mountains in winter and in turn being better able to advise their
customers on the correct choice of clothing and equipment.

Retail Staff from 6 stores from across the North of England and Scotland attended including
The Climbers Shop, Cave & Crag, Ultimate Outdoors, Craigdon Mountain Sports, Cairngorm
Mountain Sports and Cotswold Outdoor.

Each day was spent venturing amongst and over some of Glencoe's and Lochaber's highest
mountains including Buachaille Etive Mor, Buachaille Etive Beag and Aonach Mor. Under
expert tuition from the mountain guides and instructors at Plas Y Brenin, everyone learnt how
to correctly use an ice axe and crampons, how to build snow shelters and had constant
training in avalanche awareness and safe travel in the mountains.

For Ozzie Rachel Kearns
who has only recently moved to the UK and who now works for Cotswold Outdoor in Keswick
it was a real eye-opener.

“..........it was informative, expertly guided, loads of advice and information....All the way
through we were given advice on walking in crampons, using ice axes and predicting
snow/weather conditions. There was always an expert guide on hand to boost morale and
add an air of confidence at all times....”

The course, which is heavily subsidised, by both Mountain Equipment and GORE-TEX also
featured technical training on a variety of topics relating to product design and a guest
appearance by Dave Macleod.

“Specialist Outdoor Shops are quite rightly a hub for advice both on winter clothing and
equipment. Given that we are seeing winter conditions that many people have not witnessed
for several years, it should be a great comfort to every single one of the stores who attended
this event to know that their staff have experienced very real winter conditions at first hand
and have the confidence and the skills to ensure that the many hundreds of customers who
will pass through their doors this winter are correctly equipped and go away with sound
advice.”/

Mountain Equipment, GORE-TEX and Plas Y Brenin will continue to offer similar courses
focussing on product training and mountain safety to all of its key stockists throughout 2009.

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